Day 6

Quite a day. Woke up early to get breakfast before our new driver Pat was to take us to the airport at 7:45 only to find that the restaurant doesn’t open until 8:00. Bummer number one. Instead we spent the time before the bus left to walk around the castle grounds with Owen. Our new driver Pat was a very large and cheerful man who reminded me of Haggid , especially when he told us to "mind our bits and bobs" as we were exiting the bus. We arrived at the airport four hours before our flight because the driver had to return to Trim to drive another group to the airport right after us. Bummer number 2. We said goodbye to Christian and Sharon so they could continue with their Ireland travels we began our Switzerland adventures. We got some coffee and a pastry and waited to board. Once on board the pilot let us know we were delayed due to lack of airport support staff to back the plane out. Another hour wait and bummer number 3.
Finally we were in the air for Zurich and looking forward to the next chapter of our trip.

Arrival in Zurich was a

frenzy of activity. Getting our bags, locating the Swissrail office, finding the right train to get us to Bern. The stress and activity combined with heat and more than expected humidity resulted in my shirt being completely drenched in sweat. Note to self - an undershirt is needed whenever stressful travel is anticipated. A quick trip on the S-Bahn to the Zurich Hauptbahnhof, a swing through Burger King for some food (don’t judge, options were minimal in the train station on a Sunday), and we hopped the train to Bern. Tavis and I had the pleasure of sitting with a gentlemen from San José on a business trip to Bern for eBay named Felix. He was wearing a Pliny the Younger t-Shirt so that was a natural conversation starter. We chatted the whole way to Bern. With any luck we will see him at the Brewery one day.

Once in Bern, it was a short walk to our hotel, the Goldener Schlüssel. Checked in with no issues and set out to find a beer. Owen stayed in the room,

but Tavis, Cindi and I found a lovely spot around the corner for a beer for me, an Aperal Spritz for Cindi and a Poké bowl for Tavis. I end this chapter as we settle in to the sounds of the city outside and a cool breeze wafting through the window. Definitely not a bummer.